The Last Supper

Tonight we all say goodbye. Some are leaving at 1am to catch a flight, others around 5am. Lee and I are splitting a car with someone from the group who also decided to go to Rishikesh, and we're leaving around 8am for a six or seven hour drive.

It's bizarre to be saying goodbye to the people who have had to take the place of friends and family in some ways, seeing that we're all disconnected and only have each other to rely on. I think we have taken a toll on Dushyant though, despite how much he adores us. Here's a photo from night before last, when we were celebrating the girl in the green sari's birthday.

So we're back to where we started. And we're going to the same restaurant as a way to end things off. Seems fitting.

In other news, my shoulders ought to be super buff by the time I get home from how heavy my bags are. I also don't know how my boobs are still attached to my chest, at this point. The amount of violent bouncing that takes place in Indian transportation is truly remarkable.

T-minus Five Days

At lunch this afternoon, discussing my plans after we all say goodbye in Delhi with a woman from the group, I got a very nice compliment. She was asking why Lee wasn't too keen on staying in a tent in Rishikesh, since that's exactly what I want to do and am up for. She said to just say please and bat my eyelashes and then the plans would be settled. I told her I probably could get my way if I wanted because I am so spoiled. She was then taken aback and said, "Oh, no. I've never known someone less spoiled by the world, ever."

I think it's partly got to do with the fact that she had to convince me earlier this morning to buy a scarf for myself. I had picked one up that I was sort of rolling around in my hands, trying to decide what to do when she leaned over and said, "You going to get that one, Allie?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"For yourself?"

I just sort of smiled and said, "I'm not sure."

"You're only allowed to get it for yourself. Now come on."

She convinced me to do it and while the fact that I spent 1080 INRs (25$) solely on myself is still in the back of my mind, I'm glad I have people looking out for me and giving me advice. This woman in particular has never been condescending when she offers her little nuggets of wisdom, which I greatly appreciate.

Maybe it sounds cliche, maybe it sounds purely ridiculous, but I'm going to be really sad to say goodbye to everyone. We really are a fantastic group. We're all friends on facebook now and plans have already been talked about by a certain few for visiting each others' countries.

It's nearly 4pm and we are meeting at six for dinner so I think I need to go poke my head around in some shops and do a last bit of bargaining. Ugh, I hate that. I hear it's a good skill to have, but I can't wait to be back home where you simply pay what you're told and that's all there is to it. 

Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit

Happy first of the month.

We are meeting for dinner at five, leaving on the bus at six for about three hours, and then we hop on a sleeper train that will drop us off in Varanasi at about eleven in the morning? If I'm remembering correctly.

Last night myself and a few others climbed up this hill (between a hill and a mountain, what should I call it?) to watch the sunset. It was beautiful and there was a breeze because there was a storm off in the distance.

I don't know what I was expecting to get out of this trip, but everything I've put into it has been given back to me times four. I will be home in eight days and that's too hard for me to wrap my head around.

Lee and I are thinking of going to Rishikesh for our last three nights, but access to internet has been scarce so solidifying plans has been impossible. Who knows where we'll end up. But that's the fun part, I suppose.